Musical Zoo: the Animal Kingdom in the Music of Latin America

Latin America, with its rainforests, mountains, plains and wetlands, has originated a large number of songs and instrumental works dedicated to the animal kingdom.

“Pajarillo,” (little bird) is a very famous Venezuelan folk melody. Omar Acosta and Jorge Montilla have written their own versions.

The Uirapuru is a bird from the Amazon rainforest famous for its beautiful singing. This program already featured the two pieces Heitor Villa-Lobos dedicated to this creature. His friend and disciple Camargo Guarnieri also wrote a full scale symphony entitled “Uirapuru” and dedicated the work to Villa-Lobos.

“Palomita Blanca” means “little white pigeon.” Arguably this is the most famous waltz from Rio de la Plata.